Don Peat, QMI Agency

"This has been a very, very humbling experience," Ford said. "I have enormous respect for the judicial system and I'm very, very thankful for the decision it made today.

Flanked by Deputy Mayor Doug Holyday and Coun. Doug Ford, the mayor thanked his legal team and his family for their support through the court fight.

"This has been a very, very challenging time for all of us," Ford said. "I'd like to thank the thousands of people who have offered their support and encouragement over the last few months. Your kind words have inspired me to continue fighting on."

Ruby had successfully argued Ford violated the province's municipal conflict of interest legislation when he took part in a February council debate about an integrity commissioner report about him.

The report was on Ford's ongoing failure to respond to an order from the previous city council to pay back $3,150 in improper donations to his youth football foundation.

At that meeting, Ford gave a long speech to council about his football foundation and then joined a majority of councillors in voting to forgive his failure to pay back the donations.

The divisional court panel ruled the original council decision ordering Ford to pay back the money was invalid. Once that decision was nullified, Ford was no longer in contravention of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.

Ruby wouldn't speak to reporters Friday but did release a statement vowing to try to take the case to the Supreme Court of Canada.

"The court has let Rob Ford off on a technicality. We find that disappointing, particularly since the court found that Mr. Paul Magder was right on the facts," Ruby stated.